Dida Asks Kenyans to Consider Legalising FGM

Former Presidential candidate Abduba Dida has come to the defence of Dr Tatu Kamau, who called for the legalisation of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the Alliance for Real Change party leader asked Kenyans to support Dr Kamau and not judge her because of her sentiments.

He further asked people to conduct research and read widely before dismissing the legalisation of the practice.

"Dr Kamau brought an interesting debate. Her case should not be thrown out without adequate research.

"Abduba

"Researchers have never clearly stated the effects of FGM. Most communities were just discouraged from practicing it," stated Dida.

Last week, the doctor, who has been practicing medicine for 26 years, asked the court to declare as unconstitutional, an Act that outlawed Female Genital Mutilation.

In her argument, Dr Kamau remarked that stopping women from undergoing the cut yet men are allowed to get circumcised is discriminatory.

According to her, banning the practice is tantamount to embracing Western culture and disregarding local practices as inferior.

She asked the court to declare as unconstitutional the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, which was enacted in 2011 and further, requested a declaration that the board formed to fight the practice was improperly constituted.

On Friday, women leaders went after the doctor accusing her of being unprofessional.

Led by Federation of Women Lawyers chairperson, Josephine Mong’are, the leaders stated that the idea was retrogressive and it was a shame that it had been proposed by a doctor.

“It is a bad. Even the Constitution outlaws retrogressive cultures. As a doctor, she should inform us the positive side of FGM,” stated Ms Mong’are.

Former Marakwet East MP Jebii Kilimo echoed the same sentiments stating that the doctor's reasons were not convincing.